New York Yankees Should Contemplate Trading for Chase Headley

By Adam Fischer

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

If Alex Rodriguez’s 211-game suspension is upheld, the New York Yankees would have a gaping hole at third base. Even though he has been on a down slide the past few years, he is still an above-average player to man the hot corner. But, if he is suspended, the Yanks would need to find a replacement, and there are not many viable options in house.

One interesting thought could be to try and make a play for the San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley. There were rumblings that the Yankees were trying to trade for him this year, with their third-base position in flux most of the season, but nothing transpired. But, with Headley coming off a down year, only hitting 13 home runs and 50 RBI, his stock has dropped a bit after hitting 31 homers and 115 RBI in 2012.

Still, a baseball official with knowledge of the Padres’ thinking says that the club would need a “compelling offer” to let go of their best player. Unfortunately, the Yankees don’t have many trade bait weapons in their arsenal, and it would be a long shot to pull off. It’s not dead in the water because the Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is one of the best in the game. The Padres weren’t very good this season, and their outlook for next year doesn’t look much better. However, this is all contingent on the A-Rod appeal hearing, as are most of the Yankees’ offseason moves, so this is just speculation, but it is something to contemplate as we wait for the suspension hearing to conclude.